Eastern U Tackles Student Experience

Pennsylvania's Eastern University will implement new tools in an effort to improve operational efficiency and relationships with students.

The Christian university, with approximately 4,200 students, will deploy Ellucian'sColleague across three campus locations "to automate critical workflows that improve student self-service and productivity," according to a news release. "Students will be able to access personal self-service portals from any device, providing them real-time access to academic and financial information, including course offerings and financial aid applications."

Colleague Student Planning is a Web-based tool designed to help students choose courses in line with their academic goals and to facilitate communication with advisors.

Colleague Student and Financial Aid is designed to help students navigate their financial aid options. It features advising and degree audit tools and can be used as part of "a traditional, one-on-one format, impromptu advising sessions, online self-advising or a combination of several techniques," according to information on Ellucian's site.

Colleague Finance includes tools for institutional budgets and forecasts, as well as accountability and compliance.

Eastern University will also deploy Ellucian Recruiter in an effort to improve retention rates.

“Eastern’s investment in the Colleague enterprise software solution is an investment in access and functionality for our staff, faculty and students,” said J. Pernell Jones, vice president for finance and operations at Eastern University, in a prepared statement. “We look forward to partnering with Ellucian in effectively implementing this software.”